Rivals should have "no complaints" with physical Mugello "challenge" - Max Verstappen

Red Bull

Rivals should have "no complaints" with physical Mugello "challenge" - Verstappen

Verstappen and Albon were third and fourth quickest

Ian Parkes

Friday 11 September 2020 17:21

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Max Verstappen believes none of his Formula 1 rivals should have any complaints about the physical nature of Mugello if they are fit enough.

Verstappen enjoyed a positive day of practice in his Red Bull ahead of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix around a demanding circuit that is fast, flowing and undulating.

The Dutch driver completed 57 laps overall across the two sessions, finishing second and third quickest in first and second practice respectively behind Mercedes's Valtteri Bottas on each occasion.

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Asked as to the physical nature of the track, Verstappen said: "I felt alright but on Sunday it's going to be pretty warm, and then for 59 laps in a row, it's not going to be easy, but I like a bit of of a challenge.

"And also, we shouldn't complain, right? We train and we work out to sit in the car, so we shouldn't complain.

"It's a very cool track, so many fast corners. In a Formula 1 car, especially to take Arrabiatta One and Two flat out easily is quite incredible.

"It's really nice and really enjoyable to drive. It's just very flowing, which I like, and no slow corners, so that's good."

Assessing what he described as a "good day", Verstappen added: "We can be pretty pleased with how the car was behaving. We were not too far off Mercedes, that was a good thing, and also balance-wise.

"Of course, there are always things to improve, but pretty pleased."

For team-mate Alex Albon, the Thai-British driver feels he could be feeling the strain placed on his neck due to the nature of the track by the end of the weekend.

"You feel it, not so much stamina, like Singapore where you are breathing quite a lot, here it's just a bit more pure neck," said Albon.

"Turn Eight, Turn Nine, your head gets a little heavy through there. It's good fun. It's a tricky circuit, especially because it's so high energy. From Turn One to Turn 15 the car is completely different.

"It's just really quick, and not much room for errors as well. Like Lando [Norris], everyone is catching the gravel, and you feel it moving around on you."

Like Verstappen, though, Albon was also content with the handling of his RB16, in particular following a tough outing last time out at Monza.

"Still some areas to find a bit more balance in the car, but actually, I'm relatively happy," added Albon.

"Coming from Monza we were struggling a little bit, so [this is] a bit more of a conventional circuit. Fingers crossed everything's back to normal."

Before you go...

Two red flags as Bottas clean sweeps Friday practice at Mugello

Gasly's Red Bull hopes shattered as it "wouldn't make sense" to swap with Albon - Horner